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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Myrica rubra is an evergreen Shrub growing to 15 m (49ft 3in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 10. It is in leaf all year. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Synonyms

M. nagi. non Thunb.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 105]. Succulent and aromatic[82], it has an agreeable sub-acid taste[183]. Juicy, sweetish and sour according to another report[174]. The fruit soon rots so it is difficult to grow commercially because of the problems of getting it to market in good condition[174]. The fruit is up to 25mm in diameter[200]. The seed is said to be edible[61, 177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

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Astringent, carminative, vulnerary[174, 178]. The stem bark is used as a wash in the treatment of arsenic poisoning, skin diseases, wounds and ulcers[218]. The fruit is carminative, pectoral and stomachic[218]. The seed is used in the treatment of sweaty feet[218]. The plant is used in the treatment of cholera, heart ailments and stomach diseases[218].

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the plant[174]. (The part of the plant is not specified).

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist soil. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade[200]. Thrives in any ordinary garden soil[11]. Prefers a lime-free loamy or peaty soil[1]. Not very hardy in Britain, it succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country according to one report[1], whilst another says that it only succeeds in zone 10 and does not tolerate frosts[200]. Plants succeed outdoors in Japan as far north as Tokyo, but it is difficult to get them to fruit there[174].. This plant has been recommended for improvement by selection and breeding for its edible fruit. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Many species in this genus have a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Barely cover the seed and keep it moist. Stored seed germinates more freely if given a 3 month cold stratification and then sown in a cold frame. Germination is usually good[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in the cold frame for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up and overwinter in a cold frame. Fair to good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood in November/December in a frame. Layering in spring[200]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Expert comment

Author

Botanical References

Links / References

Readers comment

Yechezkel Schatz

Wed Jun 25 12:19:37 2003

I found the Japanese name Yamamomo (or Yama momo) for the fruit.

J.X.

Fri Mar 3 2006

The fruit has a wonderful unique taste. In China, all fruit is picked ripe on the tree (unlike in North American practice). The fruit does not ripen well after it is picked.
In China it seems to grow in colder places than zone 10, nor does it tolerate extreme tropical climates.

Rob

Sun Dec 7 2008

Edibility rating 2 ???
In China the fruit has been grown for 2,000 years. It’s so popular there that about twice as many acres are cultivated as the acres cultivated of apples in the US.

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